A/N
Hello good folks, I bring you another chapter of Strongest guild, this one longer than the previous by a good amount, it was going to be longer but… eh.
I hope you enjoy the chapter and special thanks to
DarkDragon2267 for being the 200th favourite-er if he wishes to do so he/she may ask for an omake of this story or a short one shot of their choice.
Reviewer replies:
Theburper: Not if she believes Argo to be a close associate of Kirito and also Asuna doesn't really know who to trust at the moment.
Ssj God Vegito: Thank you kind sir. I'm glad you're enjoying the story as I put quite a lot of time into it. And I like Argo so she gets a bigger part.
KuramaFTW: Heathcliff, interesting theory. As for what Prince gets from this… You'll see.
Charlie: Thank you.
Siris the Guardian of Aura: Thank you kindly. However, Aura Sphere only does neutral damage to a Squirtle, but as of Gen VI Squirtle can learn Aura Sphere and it is Super effective against Lucario… Mu ha ha
Dragonslayer1313: Two things, thank you that advice is most helpful and I shall not make that mistake again and also your avatar cracks me up, Gildarts looks brilliant like that…
Lenora Jime: Yeah, Asuna is a bit odd at the moment, but she'll get better… And don't mention it, I got pretty annoyed by Kirito's ever growing fanclub so I decided not to feature it. As for Silica, soooooooon…
ArianandXaia: Prince is indeed a sneaky bastard, as for who he is, it'll be officially revealed soon. And yes he is in the Anime.
Ka-tay's mind: Yes Kirito does trust Prince and as for Asuna well we'll have to see.
Sabrina-Luna-Potter- Don't worry, every cloud has a silver lining...
Kirito lay on his bed staring up at the ceiling, he remembered the good old days, the days before he was responsible for the lives of his friends, the days before he had to worry about being literally stabbed in the back. He sighed, the door suddenly burst open, Kirito sat up quickly as Argo burst into his room.
"W-What?" Kirito stuttered
"With me, now." Argo said pulling him up
"Where are we going?"
"The Town of Beginnings." Argo said throwing him a teleport crystal
"Gotcha." Kirito said catching the crystal and activating it. When the two players appeared in the courtyard of the Black Iron Palace, Argo immediately took off running towards the building that housed the monument of life, Kirito followed her in when they arrived Kirito took in the sight of the giant black slab of marble, each of the ten-thousand player's names carved on, Argo approached the monument and scanned it looking for a particular name.
"Here!" She exclaimed, Kirito leant in and saw something that made his stomach clench, a name crossed out with the cause of death reading: Player Killed
"Explain." Kirito ordered forcing his tone to stay calm
"Apparently, guild named the Silver Flags were lured into a remote area by a beautiful player and where then set upon by several players, one of them killed the leader of the guild and let the rest of the guild go, to send a message I presume." Argo said quietly
"Asuna?" Kirito enquired
"I believe so, it fits in with what Prince said." Argo grimaced
"I need to confront her." Kirito said fiercely
"No, we need to confront her. You're not a solo player Kirito, you have friends and allies to back you up, she already beat you once and in towns, you can't hurt people remember." Argo said patiently
"Fine me, you and Klein?" Kirito asked
"Agreed, the smaller the group the better, we can get Diavel to take another training mission that'll make him feel useful." Argo said
"Right, I'll message Klein while you find out where Asuna is staying." Kirito said opening his menu, rapidly typing a message
"I've got it, Fourth floor, an inn not far from our own." Argo said taking a couple of teleport crystals from her pouch, tossing one to Kirito she nodded
"Where should I tell Klein to meet us?" Kirito asked
"Central market." Argo said before activating her crystal and disappearing in a flash of blue, Kirito quickly finished his message and sent it before teleporting to floor four too.
-0-
"A player's been killed?" Asuna asked Lizbeth incredulously
"Yep, a guild called the Silver flags got lured in and the leader got executed by one of the attackers."
"Was it Kirito?" Asuna asked suspiciously
"I don't think so, most people say it was a woman who lured the guild in."
"So he's not responsible this time?" Asuna asked
"No, listen, Asuna, I need to get back to my stall, I'll message you if I find anything else out." Lizbeth said before hurrying out of the door and running back towards the market area, a minute or two later, Asuna received a message from Lizbeth:
Just seen Kirito, Argo and Klein coming towards your inn, you may want to think about leaving. Asuna smirked apparently she would be getting a confession about Kirito's crimes much quicker than she thought she would.
-0-
Prince smiled, it was a happy genuine smile, as though Christmas had come early for him, which in his point of view it had, his protégé and his subordinates were currently heading towards The Flash to confront her about the lies he had spun, without a doubt it would only escalate tensions between them and as a result drive them further apart, this on top of Rosalia's brilliant performance just made him feel happy, he just needed his protégé to get a taste for violence, possibly bring forward his plan for the young Beast Tamer.
-0-
Kirito pushed open the door to the inn Asuna was staying in. His hand hovering close to his Queen's Knightsword, an NPC innkeeper went to greet them. However, he was ignored as the three players walked ever closer to Asuna's room, when they got to the room, Kirito reached out and rapped his knuckles against the door three times, the door unlocked and swung open. Kirito, Argo and Klein spotted Asuna instantly as she stood her back to the window as the sunset was simulated behind her.
"You." She hissed
"How dare you!" Kirito shouted reaching for the Knightsword
"What the hell did I do?" Asuna shouted "You're the one who's been acting as a law for the scum of Aincrad."
"Don't blame me for your crimes; you were the one who led those players to their deaths weren't you!" Kirito shouted again
"How dare you accuse me of that, Prince told me what you've been doing!" Asuna screamed
"Liar," Klein said looking at Asuna annoyed "Prince told Kirito that you had been acting as a lure." Klein finished
"No he did not; Prince already told me what you've been doing." Asuna shouted repeating her point
"Mark my words Asuna, if I catch you, I'll go orange for the sake of the other player's." Kirito warned her before storming out leaving a very confused Asuna alone.
-0-
"I freaking hate that Bit-"
"Kirito calm down." Argo said loudly
"Getting annoyed won't solve any of our problems." Klein added
"Fine what do you propose?" Kirito asked scowling
"We take our time, at the moment we have no evidence that Asuna has done anything, so we can't just go around accusing her, she already knows we're onto her, so she's bound to act well behaved for a while, and it's Christmas tomorrow, so let's drop this for a while, ok?" Argo reasoned
"Yeah, you're right." Kirito said shrugging
"Always am." Argo said smugly causing Kirito to roll his eyes
"So what now, Diavel and the others still aren't back from levelling, so what should we do?" Klein asked
"How about going to the tournament, there's one in the centre of town."
"Yeah, a Beta tester winning the tournament is going to go down well," Argo sighed, before looking up "Sure, it'll kill a few hours of boredom." Argo said, together the three members of Fuurinkazan left the inn, as the three walked down the street whispers followed them towards the centre of the town, when they got there they saw two queues, one significantly bigger than the other, a sign above each of them. The first and much longer cue's sign read: Place your bets! With an NPC taking names and money, the second queue's sign read: Sign up! Kirito, Klein and Argo all walked towards the sign up queue.
"I thought you disliked fighting." Klein commented to Argo
"True, but I'm bored and it'll be fun to demolish a few people." Argo laughed
"Confident much." Klein laughed
"With good reason." Kirito commented mysteriously
"I'm listening?" Klein said
"Wait and see, and just hope you aren't picked to go up against Argo the Rat." Kirito said with a smile, when the three got to the sign up, the NPC looked at them
"Name?" It asked
"Kirito."
"Guild affiliation?"
"Fuurinkazan."
"Kirito of Fuurinkazan, please proceed. Next!"
When Argo and Klein completed their registrations they proceeded forward flanking Kirito.
"Some heavy competition." Klein commented
"Ah, it'll be fine, I'd appreciate it though if you refrained from using the Backwards Katana as it's a bit too overpowered for a friendly fight." Kirito said to Klein
"Obviously, though, I'll still beat you." Klein said with a smirk
"We'll see." Kirito grinned
"First round!" A voice announced from the sign up desk "Klein of Fuurinkazan vs Marcoh of the Philosopher's!" The voice finished, Kirito slapped his friend on the back. Klein grinned and ran forward stepping into the ring, he was greeted by a player about Klein's age with his hair dyed white and black.
"Shall we?" Klein said to Marcoh
"We should." Marcoh agreed, nodding Klein rushed forward swiping at Marcoh. However, he was promptly blocked by his opponent's Long sword, Marcoh twisted his blade causing the lock between the swords to break a shower of sparks appearing between the swords. Marcoh feinted a swipe at Klein and turned it into a stab aiming for Klein's stomach, Klein leapt back and hacked fiercely at his opponent missing him by a hair's breadth. Marcoh then made a mistake: he activated a Sword Skill, his blade glowed a bright purple and his arm whipped down at an incredible speed. However, Klein countered and with an almighty heave, he knocked Marcoh back, while he was recovering from the cooldown time the Sword Skill created, Klein launched himself forward, piercing Marcoh's stomach, as the duel was only to half-way, Marcoh's health dropped to yellow and stopped, a bell rang to show Klein's victory and Klein reached down to pull his opponent up off the floor, Marcoh took Klein's hand gratefully and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet.
"Good job." Marcoh told Klein slapping him on the back before walking out of the ring, Klein walked over to Kirito and Argo with a smile
"Good work." Kirito told Klein as Argo gave him an approving nod
"Thanks Kirito." Klein told him as they watched the next fight take place. After a while the announcer called Argo's name and her opponent, Asuna.
With a savage grin Argo stepped into the ring as Asuna did the same, she gave Argo a neutral nod, her face deeply composed. She drew her Rapier as Argo put on her claws, when the bell rang neither of the competitors moved both of them staring at each other, attempting to see gaps in their opponents guard. Asuna stabbed forward moving with incredible speed. However, by the time Asuna had reached Argo, she had already moved. Asuna moved her sword in a flurry of attacks, each of them dodged by Argo as she moved with incredible speed.
"Too slow." Argo taunted continuing to dodge each of Asuna's strikes
"Fight properly." Asuna growled
"Fine." Argo replied, raking her claws across Asuna's arm. The attack did not do much damage but it served its purpose, a warning not to underestimate one of Fuurinkazan's advisors. Asuna stabbed left causing Argo to bob right avoiding the stab, Asuna then flicked the blade towards Asuna creating a thin line of damage across Argo's arm.
"Wow this is getting heated." Klein commented
"I hope Argo smashes her." Kirito replied glaring at the Rapier user
Asuna flipped back and as Argo followed her, Asuna stabbed towards Argo again, aiming for her heart. Argo caught the blade against her claws a rivulet of sweat sliding down her forehead as she struggled to hold back the Rapier.
"You can't win this." Argo grunted as she barely held the Rapier back
"Look who's talking." Asuna replied as she maintained the pressure behind the attack. Argo scowled and lashed out a kick catching Asuna in the stomach Argo then leapt forward aiming for Asuna's throat. However, Asuna brought her Rapier up to catch Argo in the stomach causing her health to drop to half and a bell rang signalling Asuna's victory. Argo scowled and stalked over to Kirito while Asuna without reacting stepped out of the ring. Several fights later and Argo annoying Kirito to take her mind off her loss happened before Kirito's name was called out. He was to fight someone known as Sinon, he stepped up towards the ring when he got the distinctive sound of a message being received, he quickly opened it to find Prince wanted a word with him at the inn, alone. Kirito turned and ran towards the inn Argo and Klein shooting him curious looks as he went, quickly typing a message to Argo and Klein to excuse his sudden departure, he then focused on running when he saw Prince standing in front of the hotel he slowed to a jog.
"Thank you for coming." Prince said to Kirito inclining his head
"No problem, what is it that you want?" Kirito asked
"I have to warn you."
"What about?" Kirito asked
"Not to attempt to confront The Flash again, I believe her to be in league with a powerful orange guild known as Titan's hand, so stay away from her, in time she will receive her comeuppance, remember that." Prince said seriously
"Fine." Kirito said calmly
"Kirito." Prince warned
"Al right fine, I promise I'll stay away from her."
"Good now I must take my leave, I have a few associates to speak to." Prince said activating a teleport crystal to the third floor. Kirito then checked the time before cursing and sprinting back to the tournament.
"Last chance for Kirito of Fuurinkazan before disqualification." A voice rang out, as it did Kirito vaulted into the ring to see a brown haired girl with a spear slung over her shoulder.
"You're late." She said calmly
"I am." Kirito responded
"Can we begin?" Sinon asked
"I suppose." Kirito said drawing his sword, nodding Sinon thrust forward with the spear testing Kirito's defence, when he slapped the attack down with the flat of his blade Sinon nodded in satisfaction before hurling several hunting picks at him, Kirito dodged the needle like weapons. However, Sinon managed to capitalize on the attack by thrusting forwards, Kirito tried to sidestep but did not manage to dodge completely and was left with a thin red scratch across his arm. Grunting, Kirito stabbed forward with his Knightsword, Sinon brought her spear up to meet the blade but with a growl Kirito sliced through the wood and made a deep gash along Sinon's arm.
"First blood." She growled before throwing the non-bladed half at him causing him to reflexively dodge while she attempted to stab him in the throat with the bladed half. However, Kirito brought his hand up and caught her arm holding it up, he then made several cuts along her stomach causing her health to drop to orange and the bell to ring out.
"Not bad for someone who can't tell the time." She said walking out of the arena and into the swelling crowd
"Yeah sure…" Kirito muttered going back over to Klein and Argo "How long left of the tournament?" Kirito asked them
"Not long, you'll have two more fights at most." Klein said as Argo scowled
"Klein vs Asuna!" The voice declared, Klein sighed as he drew his Katana
"Well that's me doomed." He muttered
"Kick her ass for me." Argo growled
"Yeah sure I'll try." Klein muttered nervously, as he stepped into the ring Asuna gave a small smile to the nervous swordsman
"Come on then." Klein said as he lunged forward
"What are his chances?" Kirito muttered to Argo
"Low, you are undoubtedly stronger than Klein and myself. However, Asuna is stronger than you based on previous examples." Argo said softly
"Well damn." Kirito said looking towards the fight in time to see Asuna duck under a swipe of Klein's Katana, with a flash of green light Asuna's linear Sword Skill hit Klein hard in the chest dropping his health down to half.
"Damn." Klein muttered walking out of the ring
"Kirito vs Asuna!" The voice announced, with a sigh Kirito drew his blade again and stepped into the ring
"Kirito." Asuna said
"Don't talk to me." Kirito snapped bringing his Knightsword into a defensive position, Asuna growled at Kirito and sprung forward attempting to skewer him and put a quick end to the fight. However, with almost inhuman reflexes Kirito countered the attack, swinging his own sword knocking it away and creating a shallow cut across Asuna's arm, she drew back her arm and used a linear attack, seeing first-hand how lethal that attack could be he ducked back and furiously dodged, countered and weaved trying his best not to get taken down, when Asuna stopped for the cooldown he lunged forward a victorious glint in his eye. Although Kirito was confident on his victory he was not the only one with confidence, Asuna whipped her arm round to knock Kirito off course.
"How did you recover so quickly?" Kirito growled
"Practise." Asuna shot back lunging at him again, swearing Kirito activated a Sword Skill of his own, forcing Asuna onto the defensive and with her lighter sword found herself being forced further and further onto the defensive, when the Sword Skill ended, Asuna was too drained, she could only watch as he recovered, suddenly and idea came to mind she swung her blade holding it in a loose grip, when Kirito inevitably countered it flew out of his hand leaving her apparently defenceless, she jumped forward at him, he scoffed and went to attack. However, his health was quickly dropping. He looked down to see a dagger digging out of his stomach held by Asuna in a tight grip. Kirito scowled as he was informed of Asuna's victory, replacing the dagger wordlessly in her pouch she turned and left the ring.
"Come on let's go back to the inn." Argo said when Kirito got close to her and Klein
"Yeah." Klein agreed and together the three players walked towards their inn.
-0-
"Merry Christmas Kerry!" Argo shouted
"Argo, it's literally five in the morning." Kirito said checking his menu clock
"Yeah, but everyone else is up." Argo said
"And how many of them did you wake up?" Kirito asked
"Unimportant!" Argo announced suddenly "Get up and come get presents." Argo said running towards the common area of the Inn.
"She's like a freakin' child." Kirito muttered getting out of bed, quickly equipping his casual gear and walked into the common area.
"Well it's nice to see the wrapping paper patch works." Kirito noted as he saw the several wrapped presents
"Merry Christmas, boss!" Dale shouted
"Yeah, you too." Kirito yawned
"Oh yeah did you see the snow?" Klein asked
"Snow?" Argo exclaimed rushing to the window and looking out "Yes!" She cheered
"Like a little kid." Kirito repeated sighing
"Hey, I like Christmas ok?" Argo pouted
"I couldn't tell." Dynamm laughed, and promptly stopped at Argo's death glare
"Now presents!" Argo announced
"Sure," Harry muttered and fished them out from the tree "To Kerry from Argo." Harry read aloud
"Argo…" Kirito warned
"Open it." She insisted, when he obliged he groaned as he saw a luminescent pink Christmas jumper with 'Kerry' stitched on the back wreathed with little holly stitching
"What the Fu-" Klein muttered and groaned as Argo elbowed him
"I'm not wearing it." Kirito said flatly
"But you always wear black, people will think you're an emo or something." Argo insisted
"Argo, why pink?" Kirito sighed
"It's the opposite to black." Argo whined
"No white is." Kirito argued as the rest of his guild began to crack up at the spectacle
"But I got it made especially for you." Argo pleaded
"No."
"Kirito you underestimate my power." Argo said darkly "You will wear that jumper."
"And if I don't?" Kirito said a little nervously
"The rumours I could spread."
"You wouldn't." Kirito said his mouth feeling dry
"Normally no, but if you won't wear a present then I must." Argo said
"Fine," he said sending it to his menu and equipping it "Happy?" He asked sarcastically
"Very." Argo said grinning
"Erm… Well, next present. From Argo to Klein." He read handing the present to Klein as Kirito grinned, with a nervous gulp, Klein opened to present and withdrew a teddy in samurai style armour
"Argo!" Klein practically squealed
"What the hell!" Kirito shouted outraged
"What?" Argo asked innocently
"You got me a pink jumper with Kerry on it and him something him that." Kirito said before slumping to the ground.
-0-
"My protégé's subordinates are beginning to worry me." Prince said to the other dark garbed man
"Why is that, Sir? You could defeat them all easily." The man asked
"And drive my protégé away from me instantly, I will not lose him, he is a far too valuable asset and I do actually like the boy, therefore I have no desire to kill him."
"True, sir though why not have several of the recruits ambush them, then you could fashion something out of that."
"An interesting idea XaXa, although for a doctor's son, you are certainly fascinated with death.
"I suppose I am." XaXa responded neutrally
"Fair enough XaXa," Prince smiled "You may leave me now." Prince concluded
-0-
"Apparently, this floors boss fight has already happened, it was a giant mechanical reindeer." Argo smiled
"A boss fight on Christmas day?" Kirito said raising an eyebrow
"For solo players like you were." Argo noted
"I'd be asleep if I didn't have you guys with me." Kirito said disposing of the last of the Christmas decorations
"Yeah same." Klein muttered with a smile
"How about we go and look for the boss room tomorrow?" Kirito asked
"The Fifth floor one?" Klein asked
"Yup." Kirito smiled
"Sure sounds fun." Diavel laughed.
A/N
Well that's it another chapter done and now the story is over 30,000 words, it's going well. Thanks again to Stevjej, my beta-reader. Next update should be soon-ish and so with that I bid you goodbye.